Immigration law in Bolivia

Bolivian immigration law is based mainly on the Constitución Política del Estado, Ley 370 of 2013, Decreto Supremo 1923 of 2014, Ley 997 of 2017 and the protection framework in Ley 251 of 2012 with Decreto Supremo 1440 of 2012. It covers the complete legal relationship between Bolivia and foreign nationals, from entry and visa applications to residence, employment, international protection, departure orders and naturalization. Entry must take place through an authorised border or airport post with a valid passport or other accepted travel document. Depending on nationality and purpose, a person may enter without a visa, need a visa, or require additional review by DIGEMIG. Common evidence includes proof of purpose, accommodation or invitation, financial means, criminal or police records, photographs and, where required, a yellow-fever certificate. Documents may need legalisation or apostille and translation. Bolivia distinguishes temporary stay from temporary and permanent residence. Visa and residence categories include tourism or visits, study, work, health, family reasons, transit, humanitarian grounds and multiple-entry business or investment travel. A tourist or visitor may not work for payment. Students may work only within the applicable limits and without undermining their studies. People with authorised temporary or permanent residence may generally work as employees or independently and retain applicable labour and social-protection rights. DIGEMIG, the Dirección General de Migración, administers migration procedures through central, departmental and regional offices. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies and consulates handle visa matters abroad. SEGIP issues the Cédula de Identidad de Extranjero, or CIE, which is required for foreign residents. CONARE, the National Commission for Refugees, handles international protection claims; refugee protection follows its own legal procedure and is not the same as an ordinary humanitarian residence permit. Permanent residence normally requires at least three years of residence and an application. Spouses, dependent children and dependent parents may qualify without that minimum period when the applicable conditions are met. Naturalization generally requires more than three years of uninterrupted lawful residence, an express intention to naturalize, a lawful occupation or activity, proof of origin nationality, a CIE, criminal records and the Historia de Bolivia examination. A two-year special path can apply to spouses, children or substitute parents of Bolivian nationals, military service or service to the country. A naturalized citizen has the same rights and duties as a citizen by origin, and Bolivian nationality of origin does not have to be abandoned in every case. Absence limits depend on the status: without permission, absence may not exceed one quarter of the authorised temporary stay, 90 days per year for temporary residence or two consecutive years for permanent residence. Longer absence can be authorised for health, study or force-majeure reasons; the stated fee is 60 UFV, with a maximum processing period of four days at DIGEMIG or six days at departmental administrations. The detailed fees and processing times vary by procedure and office. Examples include generally US$30 for a tourism visa, US$85 for an object-determined work, health or family visa, US$200 for a multiple-entry visa and 4,050 UFV for naturalization by residence. Applicants should verify the current tariff before filing. Regional agreements can create special residence paths for eligible nationals, including the Andean Migration Statute and the Bolivia-related MERCOSUR residence framework. Eligibility, documents, fees and current implementation depend on nationality and current DIGEMIG practice; neither agreement creates an automatic residence right for every foreign national. Applications and follow-up may use SIGEMIG or the Virtual Window. DIGEMIG may issue a mandatory departure order after an administrative procedure for specified irregular entry or residence, false documents, border-control evasion, certain convictions or failure to comply with an earlier order. The order generally allows 15 working days from service, and enforcement takes place after it becomes final. Bolivia must not send a person to a state where there is a substantiated risk to life or integrity, and family ties or humanitarian grounds can affect reconsideration. Refusal at entry can result from missing visas or documents, falsification, certain alerts or convictions, or a previous departure order; the law generally provides no further appeal against an entry prohibition, subject to specific protective exceptions.